The United Arab Emirates has joined the U.S. Container Security Initiative (CSI) to help secure maritime cargo shipments against the threat of terrorism.

In a December 12 news release, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency (CBP) said the agreement will enable all cargo destined for the United States through the port of Dubai to be prescreened.

CBP will station a small team of officers at Dubai ports to identify sea containers destined for the United States; Dubai customs officials will be responsible for screening containers identified as potential terrorist risks, the U.S. agency said.

Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation is the sixth-largest port operator in the world and the first in the Middle East to join the CSI, according to the news release.

To date, governments representing 21 countries around the world have signed up to the CSI program, launched by the United States following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Following is the text of the news release:

(begin text)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Department of Homeland Security

First Middle Eastern Port Formally Commits to Target, Pre-Screen and Secure Cargo Destined for the U.S.

12/12/2004

Dubai, UAE -- Today Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation joined the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Container Security Initiative [CSI] making it the first Middle Eastern port to participate. CBP Commissioner Robert C. Bonner and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, signed a declaration of principles to acknowledge the agreement that will enable all cargo destined for the U.S. through the port of Dubai to be targeted and pre-screened.

"The threat of terrorism is real and, it's a global threat. Dubai Customs recognizes the absolute importance of protecting cargo against the terrorist threat. I applaud their bold action of assuming a leadership role in the Middle East," said Commissioner Bonner.

CBP will deploy a small team of officers to the port of Dubai, the 6th largest port operator in the world whose mission will be to target sea containers destined for the United States. Dubai Customs officials, working with CBP officers, will be responsible for screening any containers identified as a potential terrorist threat.

The primary purpose of CSI is to help protect the global trading system and the trade routes between CSI ports and the United States. By collaborating with foreign customs administrations, CBP is working towards a safer, more secure world trading system.

Under CSI, CBP has entered into bi-lateral partnerships with other governments to identify high-risk cargo containers and to pre-screen them before they are loaded on vessels destined for the United States. Today, governments representing 21 countries have signed up to implement CSI.

"I congratulate the Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation on this historic event. They are now partnering with the United States and are a leader in protecting the global trading system," said Ambassador to the UAE [United Arab Emirates] Michele Sison.

CSI did not exist before 9/ll. It was proposed by Commissioner Bonner and launched in January 2002. CSI has been accepted globally as a bold and revolutionary initiative to secure maritime cargo shipments against the terrorist threat. This initiative will continue to expand to strategic locations around the world.

The World Customs Organization (WCO), the European Union (EU), and the G8 [Group of Eight major industrialized economies] support CSI expansion and have adopted resolutions implementing CSI security measures introduced at ports throughout the world.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the protection of our nation's borders. CBP unified Customs, Immigration, and Agriculture Inspectors and the Border Patrol into one border agency for the United States.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

You ARE aware that the US Homeland Security is in all these ports inspecting containers BEFORE they're shipped aren't you?

That little fact seems to have escaped most people here on FreeRepublic. Just think about the precedent that has been set in these countries -- by allowing U.S. Customs officials to operate in their port facilities like this.

101
posted on 02/21/2006 6:03:26 PM PST
by Alberta's Child
(Leave a message with the rain . . . you can find me where the wind blows.)

This is the same crowd that came out of the woodwork during Harriet Miers to trash her and then crawled back under a rock after it was over. Same names, calling for impeachment....Anybody know who they are?

The President has a pattern of getting his enemys to bet BIG on a losing hand. People are constantly shouting around here about "why doesnt he defend his actions" and "he has to make a statement on this". Meanwhile the POTUS bides his time as his enemys become shriller and shiller, and emboldened to make stupider and stupider statements.

Then one day they find themselves politically painted into a corner.

I cant say how this will play out in this years elections, but this guy isnt dumb.

107
posted on 02/21/2006 7:21:09 PM PST
by mylife
(The roar of the masses could be farts)

So this is the thread where all the normal, reasonable Freepers are hanging out. Thank goodness I found it. It feels like total madness in the threads the last couple of days. It's so ugly, it's making me sick.

I think there are some underground liberal posters having a field day dogpiling into the threads because it's all the sudden okay to say any ignorant thing you want to about Bush and the horse he rode in on without being questioned and debated.

Thanks to the OP for giving us some more useful facts to use to counter the hysteria.

Quickly turning into a blood bath here on FR. So sad, so disgusting. Not on the parts of too many of us who have been here for a good length of time, but disgusting nonetheless. Talking "impeachment" and calling President Bush a traitor. Facts be damned. Hysteria reigns.

Well said. If a press release from Harry Reid's office can do this to a solid contingent on FR, I fear for our country's future.

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